Pakistan Shias Refuse to Bury Quetta Dead

More than 4,000 Shias in Balochistan capital hold sit-in to demand swift government action against armed Sunni groups.

Thousands of Shias in Pakistan have held a sit-in in the city of Quetta, refusing to bury their dead for a second day, demanding that security forces protect them from armed Sunni groups.

More than 4,000 women blocked a road in the southwestern city on Monday, vowing to continue their protest until the authorities take action against those behind the attack that killed 84 members of the Hazara Shia community.

Protesters chanted “stop killing Shias”.

Volunteers armed with automatic rifles and pistols on Monday guarded the streets of Hazara Town, the scene of Saturday’s attack, the AFP news agency reported.

Police said they were in talks to end the protest. However, Qayyum Changezi, a local Shia party leader, said they “will not bury the dead until a targeted operation is launched”.

Amin Shaheedi, the vice president of the Shia Wahdatul Muslemeen party, demanded control of Quetta be handed over to the army.

“Terrorists are roaming freely and we are not given any protection. Our protest will continue until we get protection,” he told reporters.